Scot 100: George Cran makes his picks for Scottish football's greatest 100
Before reading my selection you have to understand that the earliest memory of a Scotland match was in the 1994 World Cup Qualification campaign so I haven’t included any players I have never seen play live or on live TV. I have chosen a basic 4-4-2 line-up.
Goalkeeper: Andy Goram (43 Caps)
Despite walking out on the Scotland team ahead of the ’98 World Cup due to losing the No.1 jersey to Jim Leighton, Goram is my choice as the best Scotland ‘keeper. In my personal opinion Craig Gordon would have edged it as the best I’ve seen in a Scotland shirt if he was occasionally fit for selection.
Which one of these ex-Scotland defenders made it into George Cran's team?
Right-Back: Christian Dailly (67 Caps, 6 Goals)
Ever-dependable at full-back and centre-back Dailly captained Scotland 12 times and etched himself into Scottish folklore as he was caught live on TV calling the German team “Cheats! F***ing diving cheats!”.
Centre-Back: Richard Gough (61 Caps, 6 Goals)
A leader from the back who should have gained more than his 61 caps (his last was in 1993 – he retired from club football in 2001) but a fall out with Andy Roxburgh and Craig Brown finished his international career early.
Centre-Back: Colin Hendry (51 Caps, 3 Goals)
‘Braveheart’ was a defender who could be relied upon to put his body on the line when playing for his country as well as providing quality defending which helped him win the English Premier Division with Blackburn in 1995. Hendry’s Scotland career ended in controversy when he was banned for six games following a savage elbow on a San Marino defender in a 4-0 win – he also scored two of his three goals in this last appearance.
Left-Back: Gary Naysmith (46 Caps, 1 Goal)
Always a steady professional who performed to a consistent level in the English Premier League for Everton (where he was nicknamed ‘El Blanco Carlos’ after Roberto Carlos due to his early performances) and for Scotland.
Right-Wing: Darren Fletcher (58 Caps, 5 Goals)
Coming into the Scotland side during the ill-fated reign of Berti Vogts, Fletcher quickly cemented his place as his energy and quality on the ball added another dimension to a poor side. Despite being often criticised for his performances in a Scotland shirt due to his club form at Manchester United, the current Scotland captain’s attitude and stamina will be sorely missed as he takes time away from the game due to illness.
Central Midfield: Gary McAllister (57 Caps, 5 Goals)
A top quality midfielder who lead by example and played a huge part in some very good English sides (namely Leeds United, Coventry City and Liverpool), McAllister racked up an impressive list of honours including the 1992 League Championship and five trophies in 2001 with Liverpool. This included being named Man of the Match in the 2001 UEFA Cup Final win over Alaves. He captained Scotland for four years including Euro 96.
Central Midfield: John Collins (58 Caps, 12 Goals)
Collins was the most talented footballer I have seen in a Scotland team and provided every club he played for with a top-class left foot and the ability to score from distance. He also scored from the spot against Brazil in the 1998 World Cup in Scotland’s last appearance at a major finals and was Celtic’s first million pound transfer when he moved from Hibernian.
Left-Wing: James McFadden (48 Caps, 15 Goals)
Scotland’s talisman of the 21st Century, McFadden has provided some memorable moments in a Scotland shirt – the only goal in a play-off win at home to Holland in 2003, a meandering dribble past the Lithuanian defence at Hampden in 2007 and of course the famous 40-yarder to beat France in the Parc de Princes also in 2007.
Striker: Ally McCoist (61 Caps, 19 Goals)
Scotland’s fifth all-time goalscorer and the scorer of Scotland’s last winning goal in a major championships when he rifled one in from the edge of the box to beat Switzerland 1-0 at Euro 96. McCoist also won the European Golden Boot in 1992 and 1993 due to his goals for Rangers.
Striker: Kenny Miller (58 Caps, 16 Goals)
Scotland’s current No.9 has established himself as Scotland’s top striker due to his pace, work-rate and ability to work as a lone striker. One of the current side’s most experienced players, Miller has popped up with a number of important goals, including against Germany, Italy and a double in an away win in Norway. Kenny Miller continues to impress whilst catching up with McCoist’s goal tally.
Make your choices, and read guest articles from Richard Gordon, Liam McLeod and Tom Miller, here:- http://www.theawayend.net/our-content/top-100-players
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